New grants for SA home battery systems

October 30, 2018

South Australians can now access grants of up to $6000 from the Marshall Government to help pay for the installation of a home battery system.

The $100 million in State Government subsidies have been matched by $100 million in finance from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, which will provide low-interest loans for the balance of the battery and new solar if required.

Households can visit a dedicated website where they can find a qualified system provider, search for an approved battery system, request a quote and apply for the subsidy and low-interest loan.

Premier Steven Marshall said this $200 million investment is a central plank of his government’s plans to cut the price of electricity for South Australian households and businesses.

The subsidy will be scaled in line with the size of the home battery system purchased with Energy Concession holders able to access a higher subsidy.

The subsidy is expected to go down over time and is capped for everyone at $6000 per battery system installed.

“We are also creating jobs and attracting new business to our state by giving priority to qualified system providers who commit to installing approved battery systems that are manufactured or assembled in South Australia,” Premier Marshall said.

These providers will be afforded a nine-week priority period meaning their products will be exclusively available to households.

German battery storage giant Sonnen is the first provider to enjoy this benefit since it announced plans to manufacture up to 10,000 battery storage units a year at the former GM Holden manufacturing site in Elizabeth.

Sonnen batteries are available from today with additional brands available after the nine-week period.

Minister for Energy and Mining Dan van Holst Pellekaan said the scheme will benefit all South Australians.

“Not only will up to 40,000 households enjoy reduced electricity prices by purchasing a home battery system, but the installation of these systems will reduce demand on the network,” said Minister van Holst Pellekaan.

“This will ultimately result in lower prices for all South Australian households”.

Australian lending company RateSetter has been chosen to administer the subsidy and finance provided from the federally owned Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC).